The Freedom of the City Parade, which is organised by the Dawid Kruiper municipality and the 8SAI army base, took place recently.

The parade takes place every two years. It is synonymous with the marching of the soldiers, the inspection of the soldiers by the mayor and the mayor’s speech at the parade.

The parade also serves to exhibit military discipline. It also encourages the youth to join the national defence force as an employer of choice. The parade builds and strengthens ties between the municipality and the army.

“The parade and the ceremonies that go with it strengthen the relationship between the army and the residents,’ said Limakatso Koloi the Executive Mayor of the Dawid Kruiper municipality.

In her speech, the mayor praised the army for their involvement in the Thuma Mina campaign of the government. “The army assists us in rebuilding houses destroyed by weather conditions, building houses for the needy and also gives relieve food packages to the needy,” said the mayor. She added that the municipality also commended the soldiers who had died while serving their country. “The army protects us at our borders and assists us during emergency situations,” the mayor said in conclusion.